Comic’s Weekly Roundup: Dungeon goes to a galaxy far far away

Comedian Olivia Cathcart breaks down the best comedy shows in the A this week including a Star Wars themed Dungeon, Song Missing’s tribute to 90’s R&B, the return of Rob Haze and more.

Spotlight on: Dungeon Infinity
====== >> Comedy and standard nerds alike collide every month at one of the nerdiest shows in town, Dungeon. By “nerdiest” I don’t mean every performer wears Tina Fey glasses or the drinks are named after Harry Potter characters, but rather ‘cause the comics duel dragons, mystics, and rock monsters on stage. While a few comics perform traditional stand-up, the core of Dungeon centers on live one-on-one role-playing adventures between performers and the devious host/Game Master Remi Treuer. It’s the only show in town where you might catch a bard roundhouse kick a giant wasp in the face or a necromancer defeat a treacherous foe via special smooching powers. Treuer created the series over a year ago and has since produced renditions in Athens, Chattanooga, Huntsville, and Omaha’s Crom Comedy Festival. Held the first Tuesday of the month at the Highland Inn Ballroom, this week’s show is giving in to the power of the dark side with an all Star Wars-themed experience. CL recently chatted with Treuer about what makes him the host with the most EXP.

What are you nerdy about?

Remi Treuer: I love tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons with all my heart. One of my favorites is Dogs in the Vineyard by D. Vincent Baker.

If you were a newly minted knight, what would be on your coat of arms?

R.T.: A pink antidepressant pill on a black field.

What ship from the Star Wars universe would you pilot and why?

R.T.: I’d pilot the Death Star. It’s the ultimate luxury vehicle. Forget a hot tub in the back, this one comes with a torture chamber and multiple garbage compactors. Traffic is a thing of the past, just use your planet-destroying laser to erase that problem forever. Want to go on an outing and the place doesn’t have a parking option for a small moon? No problem, you and a 150 of your closest friends can hop into the included tie fighter squadrons. Sure, the safety rating is terrible, but luxury comes at a price. Live hard, die in an explosion, ride Death Star.

Dungeon: Infinity at the Highland Inn Ballroom. Tue., Feb. 2. Doors at 8 p.m.; show at 9 p.m. $5.

Wed., Feb. 3
======One of my favorite trends in comedy is throwing shows at breweries. The atmosphere is a complete change of pace from the usual club or black box theatre as two different worlds collide for one night. Plus, the ticket value is more friendly to any show-goer also hankering a brew. Check out one of Atlanta’s brewery shows, Safe Place at Orpheus Brewing on Wednesday. For $15, you get six drink tickets throughout the night (I recommend trying the Atalanta) and a six-pack of comics including Kevin Saucier, Dan Weeks, and more. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show’s at 8 p.m.

Photo credit:

>> You ready, Ron? You ready, Biv? Slick, are you? Good, cause it’s time to creep over to the Village Theatre for Song Missing Presents: THAT-LANTA GIRL IS POISON. This month, the music-inspired variety show is paying an ode to myriad of ‘90s R&B artists. Comedians, writers, and more, such as Paul Gallois and Lace Larrabee, will provide commentary to visionaries like Ginuwine, Montell Jordan, TLC, Boys II Men, and oh-so much more. Host Chris Ledford wrangles the reigns, with house bandleader Noel Stephen serenading through this funky trip down memory lane like nobody else. Doors open at 8 p.m.; show’s at 9 p.m. $10.


Thur., Feb. 4
======This Thursday is another edition of Atlanta’s only stand-up/sketch hybrid showcase, Ladie’s Night. Held the first Thursday of every month at the Village Theatre, comedians and members of the titular sketch group, Brian Emond, Zach Lamplugh, and Joel Ruiz invite their favorite comics to perform stand-up as well as screen brand-new sketches from the local film community. The sketches keep getting better and for the third month in a row, the boys hit capacity and had to turn people away. If you’ve never been before, I suggest showing up a half hour early to see what’s become the new favorite late-night party in Old Fourth Ward. Show starts at 10:30 p.m. Free.

Fri., Feb. 5
======Downtown’s Sidebar quietly snuck into the comedy game last year when they became home to First Friday Comedy Show. Damon Sumner hosts, this show held — you guessed it — the first Friday of every month. It features a small line-up of local comics as well as out-of-town guests. This week’s bill includes Jeffrey Stephenson, Plug Chapman, Jason Flynn and more. Come for the jokes, stay for the shuffleboard and beer. Show starts at 9 p.m. Free.

The Weekend
The prodigal son returns home this week as Atlanta welcomes back Rob Haze to the  Laughing Skull Lounge. Visiting from his new home in New York, the longtime local staple headlines five shows at the Midtown club, Thursday through Saturday. The Georgia native made history in 2015 when he became the first ATLien to win the Laughing Skull Festival. From there, he rose to the Top 100 on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” and was named a New Face of Comedy at Montreal’s Just For Laugh’s festival. Come on out and see what new jokes you’ll be quoting to your friends for the next calendar year.


ALSO THIS WEEK
======Beer and Comedy Night at Sweetwater Brewery (Feb. 1, at 8 p.m.)
Monday Night Comedy at Star Bar (Feb. 1, at 9:30 p.m.)
8-Bit Comedy at Joystick Gamebar (Feb. 3, at 8 p.m.)
A Jew and a Black Guy at The Punchline (Feb. 3, at 8 p.m.)
Tim Northern at Highland Inn Ballroom (Feb. 4, at 8:30 p.m.)
John Heffron at The Punchline (Feb. 4-6)
Pierre at Uptown Comedy Corner (Feb. 4-6)
1AM Secret Show at Smith’s Olde Bar (Feb. 6, at 1 a.m.)